I am sorry that this happened to you. I have also had a couple of problems with longarm quilters. I know that they did not intentionally "ruin" my quilt. I would be very careful about posting any negative comments about this woman. Times are not as they used to be, and although I am not paranoid, I feel we need to sometimes not tell all. i would let my friends know, but other than that, it might be best to just let it go and not use or or recommend her to anyone.

[quote=ljsunflower]so what happened to the lady who posted about this? Has she even been back on the forum?
quote]

Thank you all for you comments, concern and suggestions. I have, in fact, been back to read them several times a day and have been digesting them while trying to decide just what would be the most appropriate action to take with this LA.

With regard to trying to fix the quilt, my favorite response is from gump51 (page 3):

This "hole in the quilt" happened to me as well. While all quilts are special, this one was very dear to my heart and the person I was giving it to as I was retiring and moving quite a distance away. It was dead center on the back side and about the size of a quarter. I took a small piece of fabric that I used in the quilt (contrasting to hole) and cut out a heart. I appliqued it over the hole and attached a note saying, "I have taken a little piece of this quilt out and replaced it with a piece of my heart for you to always be reminded how much I love you." It turned out to be more meaningful than I ever imagined.
gump51

With regard to the LA, she is a Seller on Ebay. She is a Top-Rated Seller and at the time I purchased her services, she had nearly 100% positive feedback (and, as I said myself, the work itself was very nice). I see now that she has recently received a Negative feedback, also for poor communication. I have contacted Ebay customer service and explained my situation. I don’t know if Ebay will do anything about this, but now that I see how many different things I can do to “fix” the quilt, my only problem is being put out and insulted that the Seller didn’t feel it was the right-thing-to-do to own up to the damage, apologize and, at least, offer to try to fix it.

Thank you again for all your input.

I agree with you. But, I would let the other quilters in the community know of my experience. She will sooner or later (from the sound of it, sooner) will shoot own herself in the foot!
I have repaired small holes in garments and other items by ironing a small applique bought from wally world over it. Looks beautiful and no one knows the difference.
Sewnique

How about when an longarmer puts on the wrong backing ???? Especially when you also sent the backing for it? the quiltwork was nice but the "flannel" fabric was not sent for an cotton quilt to be done,,,was sent an cotton backing fabric!

I have had this happen twice on customer's quilts. Once right at the outside edge and once within the body of the quilt. Both times it was advancing the quilt with the needle in that caused the problem. I called and apologized to my customers. The hole at the edge was easily covered with the binding. The hole within the body of the quilt I fixed by fusing the fabric to the batting then sewing a appliqued butterfly (it was a floral quilt so the butterfly looked very nice. Each customer was very pleased with their quilts and I have quilted several for them since then. I just feel when I make a mistake I must owe up to it, speak with the customer about it and correct it the best I can. I would certainly contact your quilter again and give her another chance to fix the problem.

If it were my quilt (and I am a longarm quilter)I would expect the quilter to fix the problem. It she fixed it to my satisfaction I would still use her services. Let's face it we all make mistakes; however, it she did not fix it to my satisfaction I would take my quilt to another quilter. I would not disclosure her name or business nor would I speak bad about her. Her quilting and public relation skills will either keep her in business or take her out of business without anyone else's help.

I agree!

Even if this quilter has insurance, the insurance probably will not cover poor workmanship. My commercial quilting policy will not cover a quilt for my mistake, only things that are beyond my control. (theft, fire, flood, lightening strikes, etc.)

I totally agree with this. She did handle it poorly, but why try to ruin her? She has been notified that there was a problem.

I think regardless of whether it is libel or not, the fact remains you are talking court and if she is out of town, guess what, you would have to travel there to sue and prove she did it. It not worth the hassle, but would be worth it is to apply a little pressure on the quilter and see if she would be willing to refund the cost of the quilting, or the quilt itself. Bottom line here, badmouthing is not ever a good policy no matter how disreputable the business person. I have found that sooner or later karma evens things out.